15 Things To Do in Sydney if You’re in Town for Mardi Gras

Darlinghurst is known as a hub of queer culture and gay history in Sydney, and Mardi Gras passes through the area. Experience Darlinghurst by day, get insider insights, and visit some spectacular spots while touring with the ultimate Mardi Gras travel guide: the wickedly entertaining drag queen, Wonder Mama. Anywhere else in the city, your group might draw a lot of attention … but probably not here.

Gather a group of friends and get ready to let your hair down for a fun evening of entertainment. This male-performer cabaret show offers live music and entertainment plus finger food and Champagne, with cocktails available to buy. Be warned that not all of the performers’ clothing will survive the whole show.

The animals at Taronga Zoo don’t seem to care that they get wonderful Sydney Harbour views from their natural-like enclosures, but you surely will. As the zoo is located in the suburb of Mosman on the northern side of Sydney Harbour, these prebooked tickets include a handy round-trip cruise from Circular Quay. Listen to informative commentary on the cruise, and catch keeper talks and animal feedings throughout the day at the zoo.

Feel like a queen as you’re driven around Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs and coastline on a snazzy trike motorcycle. You’ll see all the main attractions in Sydney Harbour as well as Kings Cross—an infamous nightlife area—and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at Macquarie Point, Bondi Beach, and more. It makes a great alternative to walking or sitting in a stuffy vehicle after a big night out.

There’s no shortage of places to drink in Sydney, and Mardi Gras offers an unparalleled nightlife experience. But if you have a thing for beer, it can be fun to take a dedicated brewery tour so you don’t leave anything up to chance. On this tour you’ll learn about the craft beer scene in Sydney, visit working breweries and some of the best bars in Sydney, and enjoy some generous samples.

Take a break from high-energy revelry and kick back and relax on a sunset dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour. Harbor cruises are timed perfectly for sunset, so you can admire landmarks including the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House bathed in golden light. A sit-down 3-course dinner and live entertainment on this cruise round out the experience.

If you’ll only be in Sydney for the day of the Mardi Gras parade, squeeze a daytime harbor cruise into the morning or afternoon before Mardi Gras festivities in the evening. This sightseeing cruise is a great way to preserve your energy for the festivities ahead. Sip tea or coffee as you admire the views of Sydney’s hidden beaches, Luna Park, expensive cliffside mansions, and Sydney Harbour’s landmarks.

If you prefer to do your own thing without a guide when you travel but like the convenience of making bookings in advance, this Sydney attractions pass might be ideal for you. It comes with 2-, 3-, or 5-day options, and you can choose up to seven different attractions, including Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park, a walking tour of The Rocks, a whale-watching cruise, jet boating, and more. Visit these attractions at your leisure within your chosen time frame.

To make the logistics of sightseeing in Sydney even easier, grab a ticket to a hop-on hop-off bus. The open-topped double-decker bus follows two routes, around central Sydney and Bondi Beach, and you can choose between 24- or 48-hour durations. See and do whatever you want, knowing that you’ll have an easy ride to your next destination. Stops include Sydney Hyde Park, the Australian Museum, the Powerhouse Museum, SEA LIFE® Sydney Aquarium, and much more.

You’ll probably see the beautiful Sydney Opera House from the outside, but unless you have a ticket to a show, you might not otherwise venture inside. This tour of the Opera House will take you to areas that are usually reserved for ticket holders, and will tell you all about the UNESCO World Heritage–listed building’s history and design features.

Push yourself to the edge of your comfort zone—and beyond—by climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Nicknamed “the coathanger” because of its steep arced shape, the bridge offers incredible views of Sydney Harbour and beyond. On this tour you’ll get to wear a snazzy safety suit and you’ll be strapped securely into a harness, so you can feel confident making the climb to the top.

Bypass the inner-city traffic by taking a scenic heli-ride above the city. You’ll soar above Sydney’s beautiful bays, beaches, and skyscrapers, and get a bird’s-eye view of the sprawling metropolis. This helicopter flight picks you up from a handy central location and transfers you to the airport, then drops you off at Circular Quay after, which is well-located for more sightseeing.

Sydney’s Art Gallery of New South Wales is located in the Royal Botanic Garden and The Domain, and provides a peaceful respite from lively, noisy night-time shenanigans. It’s free to take a self-guided tour of the permanent exhibits, or you can sign up for guided tours of the North Building and South Building to learn more about the collections. A highlight is the Indigenous Australian art.

However much fun you have at the Mardi Gras in Sydney, sometimes it’s good to get out of the city. The Blue Mountains are a perfect day trip from Sydney as you can enjoy fresh air, beautiful views, and abundant birds. Some tours of the national park include hiking, if you want to work off those cocktails. This all-inclusive tour takes you to Scenic World in Katoomba and Western Sydney’s Sydney Zoo, and you return to Circular Quay by ferry on the Parramatta River.

Want to learn more about those tasty local wines you guzzled in a bar during Mardi Gras in Sydney? Head to the Hunter Valley, a wine-producing region north of the city. It’s inland from the coastal New South Wales city of Newcastle, but you can easily get there on a day trip from Sydney. This small-group full-day wine-tasting tour includes visits to three wineries; you’ll also sample local chocolate and cheese, and sit down to a hearty lunch.